It took her a little longer, but when she finally accomplished the test, we all applauded and I gave her another hug. This time I knew instantly that Sam had taken my words to heart and was accepting the images for what they were. Sam's expression lost some of its anxiety as she faced Haniel for a second time. Remember the images are a helping hand," I whispered in her ear before I stepped away. I will not let them, or our group, down," she said determinedly, facing Haniel once again. "Yes you are, but I'm going to get this because you're right, I need to. I've just become stubborn in my old age," I said, trying to joke my way out of the uncomfortable praise. You're the strongest person I've ever seen," she said without a trace of envy. You can do this, you're stronger than me," I said earnestly. Remember, the images aren't your enemy, they're your friend, sent there to help you find the right path. "Yes you can," I said, brushing the sand off of her. "I can't do it," she said, her voice filled with anguish from the after effects of the images she had seen. After a few moments, it became clear that Sam had failed when she collapsed to the sand on her knees. Watching from the sidelines was almost as intense as experiencing it firsthand, I discovered as I watched Sam's facial expressions. I watched Sam close her eyes and knew the instant Haniel sent her the images by the way she recoiled like she had been struck. They are crucial stepping stones to guide us down the appropriate path we need to help them," I said simplifying the process. I realize now that those images should not be feared. "Yes, before I couldn't help shying away from the disturbing images. "Very good Krista," he said, praising me. I opened my eyes to see Haniel smiling at me, offering a rare display of emotion that wasn't neutral. I wrapped my own happiness and love around the images, freeing the victims from the pain and suffering they had endured, and cast the new emotions back out for Haniel to inspect. Where before I couldn't seem to grasp how to appropriately filter the emotions, I could now clearly see exactly what I needed to do. So when Haniel sent me the disturbing images, I tackled them head-on, embracing them as my own. I had decided the night before that the seriousness of the situation deserved a complete commitment from me. I was anxious when he picked me to go first. He decided to test each of us individually, so we could all have a turn to watch from the outside. Instead, he would focus the next week completely on Lynn, Sam, and me. He explained that the guys had the proper skills and techniques they needed already in place. Haniel had decided to mix things up by sitting the guys out and dedicating the training completely to the Guides. The others were waiting for Sam and me down by the tide line in an informal circle, listening to Haniel's instructions. I pulled on a pair of comfy cut-off sweats and a t-shirt and grabbed a sweatshirt on my way out the door to ward off the cool ocean breezes. Less than a week to go and I would be able to pack it away for good, I thought, as I tossed the white button-up shirt into my dirty clothes basket. I was excited as I hung my skirt and sweater up. Sam and I headed to my room and quickly changed out of our school uniforms. Lynn, Robert, and Haniel were waiting for us on the beach when we finally made it home from the hospital. Having some freaky high IQ from my Angel blood definitely had its perks. We both knew that I would breeze through them and that it was really just a formality. The rest of my visit was spent discussing the final exams I was taking this coming up week. "Yeah right, until I trip or something," I muttered, making her chuckle. They won't even notice you," she said, patting my hand to reassure me. "Honey, everyone will be just as nervous as you are about receiving their diploma. "Ugh, don't remind me," I said, not relishing the idea of having to walk in front of the entire senior class to receive my diploma. "So, are you getting excited about graduation?" Just like old times when we would spend the summers trolling yard sales back home," she said. Once you can handle an outdoor excursion, I'll take you down there so you can see it firsthand," I said, hoping that would help shake her out of her funk. It was like visiting one massive garage sale. "Alright, enough of my drama as you like to call it," she said, making me laugh.
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